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What’s In Store?

I get a many emails with questions about items I show – where I got it, or where something like it might be bought. So today, I am going to try to answer the most frequently asked questions. One thing I own that I’m repeatedly asked about is the pair of lampshades in my family room. These paper shades show the famous antique map of Paris and were bought in Houston at Watkins Culver. Unfortunately, they weren’t inexpensive - an impulse buy paid for with funds I had recently made on a design job. In other words, it was money that was burning a hole in my pocket. Sssshhh – don’t tell Mr. Slipper Socks Man!! Truthfully, I’m too embarrassed to say what I paid for these, even though it was two or three years ago – but I suppose they were worth it – they still look brand new and I still adore them. Watkins and Culver had some in stock the last time I was there, but the inventory was very low.

I love these too – they remind me of mine, but I think these are much better looking – this sunroom is in Carol Glasser’s former house.

After this picture was posted last week, I received several emails inquiring about these lamp shades. This room, designed by the incredibly talented and much in-demand designer from Dallas, Shannon Bowers, has shades that are similar to Glasser’s. I’m crazy about these and apparently you were too, judging from the emails. I only wish I knew where they were from, but the answer is – I don’t have any idea. I’m sure they were custom made by an artist working on a small scale and who sold them to an antique or specialty decor store.

Other shades I adore are these Fortuny shield shades. These can be found at Maison de Provence in New Orleans. In Houston, Ronnie Jubula makes fabulous drum shaped lamp shades out of Fortuny (along with the best candles!) If you love Fortuny and need a lamp shade, Ronnie’s the man to call : 713-523-6838.

For clients I usually make custom shades out of a fabric used in the room – like in The Tanglewood House bedroom. I used the toile to cover the drum shade here. I think it adds a custom touch to a room, especially a bedroom. My partner, Monica Hancock, is the one who manages all my soft goods, curtains, bedding, pillows, etc. and she handles the lamp shades. To reach Monica for a fabric shade, call 832-443-1931.Her prices are very reasonable. Hi Mimi!!!

In this bedroom, I covered the Blanc d’Ivoire sconces in the toile fabric for a little extra detailing. Monica Hancock, again, fabricated the shades, bedding, and curtains.

So, what are good alternatives to interesting shades at a great prices? These shades are new at Pottery Barn and I think they are fabulous looking! Made of thick parchment showing a map of San Francisco, they come in three sizes and are just $29 - $49! A steal!

Also new at Pottery Barn are these linen-cotton shades with silk grosgrain ribbon. Again three sizes, and again $29 to $49.

Pottery Barn – these natural fiber shades would be fabulous in a family room or library: three sizes, and yes, $29 - $49.

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Target gets into the burlap craze with a lamp shade for just $19.99. Don’t worry, by Thanksgiving, there will lots more burlap goods at Target, but for now, these shades are it. Go here for more information.

And speaking of burlap, of course, Pottery Barn is already well into the craze – these pillows are proof. If you are looking for just a little taste of the trend, this is the perfect way to whet your appetite for burlap without spending a fortune you’ll regret next year.

After the lamp shades, I’ve gotten many emails asking about my new lantern. I bought mine at M. Naeve and she just got a new shipment in, but I think she might have just one left, if at all. They tend to sell very quickly Margaret told me. Where can you buy reproductions of French antique lanterns? I found a few sources:

This is a good size and a fairly good reproduction. From Bellacor, here. It’s hard to find an authentic reproduction lantern that is large and at a reasonable price. This is high at $629, but it is large enough to make a presence. I kept looking for something less expensive.

This is a good looking lantern to bring indoors – from Shades of Light catalogue here. This lantern is less expensive, but it is small. It would be good over a kitchen table or island or sink. It’s not big enough to handle a large family room, though.

From CSN Lighting, here, – this is good looking and very large and at a very good price at $297.After looking at 1,000s of lanterns, this one was probably the best looking for the size and price!

The third item that I get many questions about is my dining room fixture. Not my light fixture in particular – but one like it. What is it exactly? While mine was sold to me as an antique, I have my sincere doubts about that. Whenever any antique suddenly floods the market, it tends to get my antennae up, although this one was bought around 5 years ago. But still. Today, you can find pricey “antiques” like this everywhere you look, whereas several years ago, you never saw these. The style is Italian – if you look closely, the middle is actually a candlestick upside down. Or, that is what it is supposed to be: damaged, burned candlesticks from the churches turned into chandeliers. The true antiques are quite gorgeous, with peeling paint and chipped wood. They are delicate and feminine with all the scrolling iron work and dangling tassels. I bought mine from a friend who was redecorating, so I got it at a good price, but still – how can you get this look without paying a fortune? That’s a good question and one I am asked probably at least once a week. The problem is that even the reproductions are pricey!

Is it old or a reproduction – I can’t tell, can you?

Houston interior designer Carol Glasser had a beautiful Italian chandelier in her former living room. I’m sure hers is authentic.

Gerrie Bremermann’s fixture. Surely hers would be antique, right?

This is being sold on 1st Dibs as a 19th century antique. Yet if you read the description closely – it says:

This just amazes me – it’s not an antique chandelier. It’s elements put together and called a 19th century chandelier. And the price! This is why I would never buy an antique one – they just aren’t! Almost every description of an “antique” says “antique elements!”

Tara Shaw’s – admitted - new chandelier. For much less than the supposed antiques, it does need electrifying. Hers is a beauty – it comes in large and extra large versions. Why pay for an antique that isn’t an antique?

This Curry and Co. fixture, new, of course, is quite beautiful – but even this is expensive for $1,550. Here.

This great reproduction is only $799 here!!! It’s not large, but it is a great way to get the look at a fraction of the cost. Be sure to look at all the Italian chandeliers this company sells.

The only versions I found anywhere that are somewhat reasonable are the Aidan Gray copies. This one here, is $1350, again no bargain but not nearly expensive as the phony old ones.

This Aidan Gray is $1350 retail here, cheaper than the Curry and Co. but still not quite cheap!

We used the Aidan Gray fixture in the Tanglewood House dining room.

Judging by the amount of emails I get about this fixture, and the fact that Aidan Gray is totally sold out of the Italian Chandeliers, someone could make a fortune by producing a chandelier like this for what it really is worth! If someone could make this at a retail cost of $700 or $800, which is probably very reasonable, they would be a millionaire! Artie, from Color Outside the Line is actually making this fixture. He isn’t through with it yet, so he wasn’t ready for me to show it to you, but I can’t wait to see how it looks when he is finished. If he lets me, I’ll show you how he did!

And finally – I buy these silicone tipped light bulbs for all my sconces and chandeliers. They tend to run high, but recently I found these, here, for almost $1.30 each! I stocked up on them. If you go on the internet, you will find these same bulbs for anywhere from $2. up to $6.oo a piece! So $3.94 for three is a really great price. I prefer these bulbs to the kind you get in the grocery stores because with the silicone tip, the bulb is softer looking and more flame like. If you have never used these bulbs, give them a try – you won’t go back to the regular chandelier bulbs again!

My sconces with the silicone tipped bulbs.

I hope these sources help if you are one of those with questions about some of the things you have seen on Cote de Texas. I tried to find realistically priced copies – but it wasn’t always easy! If I missed something, or you have a better source, please send it in to me! Thank you all, as usual for your support!

Your breakfast room table????? I think you have said you've had trouble soucing one like it but where did you get that one?And I own that Curry and Co Chandelier (it was already in my new house). Curry and Co should be ashamed for selling such a piece of junk.

Hi Joni! Fun post. I agree, you are always so generous with your sources! In all the years of being a dealer (sounds like I was a drug dealer! and in some ways I guess I was;) and shopping for aniques (even in France) all the so-called antique chandelier like the ones you showed were either repros or "married" antique pieces put together to make a chandelier. Good for you for outing them!

Love the silicone covered bulbs too, only wish they came in a higher wattage. I've found them at JoAnn's before.

Hi Joni. I got a great "Italian Chandelier" for @ $275 last year at the Alameda Flea Mkt (near SF)...paid @ $100 to have it wired. bdantiques.com is a regular there (have you heard of Big Daddy's Antiques?)and had them as well...might still be a source. It's amazing how quickly prices explode. My sister and I got scores of Belgian grain sacks for $20 a piece a couple years ago...

Thanks for this wonderful post!!!!!! Especially about the chandeliers with antique "elements" sold as veritable antiques. As a purest, I truly do not know how some of the 1st dibs Shops (and I once posted on 1stdibs) arrive at their price points.. the new chandeliers with amazing patination and detailing are wonderful and some of the newer iron work is almost a good as the old. But I would be wary of any faux Italian or French coming out of China as quality levels are not consistent. Thanks so much for giving voice to what I have been feeling for a long time. I'm going to make a visit to Pottery Barn for my next shades!!!

Another great post. I am way behind this design trend, however would still like to find a fabulous lantern for a reasonable price....thanks so much for sharing Joni! I do think they will remain classics for indoors.

JoniOnce again you are so generous with your sources and ideas. That is one of the many things that makes your blog so unique. I read a lot of design blogs and in my mind the others pale in comparison.

Hi Joni! It's amazing to me that you have such a great catalog (or memory!) for all of the products that you see out there in internet space. Great products. I love the map lampshades in particular. Those San Francisco shades are calling my name perhaps!

LOVE all of your posts. You are my first "to do" every morning. I can't start the day without a Cote de Texas "fix" even if it's to reread an older post. I have a Powerpoint document that I made last year to save pictures of a house from HAR. The address is 2145 Brentwood in River Oaks. Would love to send them to you so you could post and comment on them if you wanted to. LOTS of white slip covered furniture and lots of "stuff". How could I forward them to you? What would the email address be? Thanks, Gay Riggs, Baytown, TX rriggs127@yahoo.com

Thanks Joni for all the sources. The "Antique Elements" thing,, I will start watching out for. It is funny how you can read right over that in a description and not give it a thought.I was kinda hoping that you would say where you got that large wonderful piece of coral in your family room.

Beautiful post; thanks for sharing. I was wondering--in the first picture about lanterns, there's a fish eye/convex mirror over the fireplace; where did you get it or where could I find one? I've been looking all over but cannot find one.

Joni, Enjoyable as always. Your lamp shades are worth every penny for the many more years of enjoyment you will have them for. Another source for an array of good looking cloth lampshades is Jamie Young Company.

The link for the light bulbs are for battery operated lights. :( Then, the only other option on that link provided were for 7 watts. But, I am happy to see others' had some great ideas for them, for they make all the difference. It's all in the details.

FYI: Unfortunately (my opinion), our government is forcing us by 2012 to switch to (mercury) filled CFLs (& NOT a single one made in the USA!). Everyone that prefers the traditional incandescent light bulb for it's warm light, shape/style, and the option of paying for operating them may want to start stock piling.

I am sorry to hear someone had a negative thought on Currey and Company. I have used them many times and have been very happy with their product. Pricey, maybe, but compared to oh, let's say a Neirmann Weeks Chandelier, it's a steal :)

Hey Joni!I was so excited to see this post...I swear you are the best...it seems like everytime I have a dilema...the next day I read your post and bam there is the answer (today it was the silicon tipped light bulbs)! Anyway, we have been building our house for a year now and I used your blog as the main source for my design and decorating..I can honestly say that I have been a "student" of yours for over 2 years now! We are about to move into our house maybe next week..Thank God - because I have been living in a trailer for almost 4 years with 4 children aggggghhhh!! Anyway, from seeing your post, I fell in love with the beautiful chandeliers you have always pictured and just HAD to have one for my new house. Then my dreams came to a screaching halt when I researched and found out how much they cost. My tightwad husband would never let that fly, so I had to get really creative and think think think. I was so determined to have one, so I ended up making mine! And it turned out really pretty. I am going to my house today to take pictures of it to email to you. And I am going to take pics of my house to show you my "homework" !! hahah - anyway, I just really really appreciate you and your hard work everyday...my new house is a testament to how your blog can help build a beautiful home!

p.s. My friend has also used your blog in helping with her new home ..we have always said that we are going to email you pics of our houses to show you once we're finished! We both LOVE you!!!

Thanks again Joni, for sharing your sources. I have been looking for a lantern for months and I think I may have found one for my low ceilinged hallway with your help. Love, love, love your posts. Thank you!

Thank you thank you thank you! The one item that really has eluded me are lighting fixtures. I have terrible lamps and a brass dining room chandelier from the 80"s and I have yet to figure out what makes sense to replace it with. The discovery of the Italian chandelier discussion as well as the silicone tipped lights has been "illuminating" (sorry for the pun!)

Joni,I just ordered some bulbs from the link that you posted. The bulbs pictured are for battery lamps, but they have another link ("other customers also ordered:") below the battery listing. These are for 120v lamps and are 5 watts - 2pk./$1.99. They are fatter than the 3 pack that you linked. I think the ones in your sconces are the fat ones-just a wrong link. Anyway...thanks for the info and the inspiring photos.Rhonda

Joni, 2 questions if I leave my sconces on all the time would you recommend the low wattage AND silicone tipped? Also after having seen your house a zillion times on your blog I was wondering if you ever put up a floor plan? Thanks for all the wonderful tips xo, MB

Great source of info!!! I love how you use fabric from the room on the shades. The toiles just look absolutely gorgeous!!! Also, can you tell me the name of the fabric or where you got the large-scale aqua toile?? (I hate to add more to your list!!) I have a duvet cover in it in sienna from Pottery barn and have always loved that fabric & didn't know you could just buy the fabric!

Very practical advice! I'd love to see the one Hearts made herself. I picked a '40s faux dutch one up at a yard sale for $5 last weekend and am contemplating mayhem with it now. I'd seen that 1st dibs monkey awhile ago and thought it was pretty outrageous. In fact, its made me much more suspicious of the "vetting" on 1st dibs in general. Yes, they say what it is, but the price implies an original, and even then would be high. Glad others think so too.

Made "map-shades" (used map-of-Paris wrapping paper from art supply store) per your instructions in BH & G article last fall using adhesive lampshade kit from Joanne's craft store. Very cheap alternative---and the effect with pair of dark wood barley twist candlestick bases is not bad at all. They look nice on my library table. May now trim w/dark brown (thin grosgrain?) a la the look of Pottery Barn San Francisco shades. This real-world source list makes for a great post, BTW.

Great sources and commentary Joni! I'm going to have to try those bulbs now! Another good one is a pink spun bulb that I got through Bevolo for a clients lanterns- they look more like the effect of a gas light even though its an electric version of course. I suppose you could probably get them through any bulb supplier too.

I can not believe that they call the chandelier antique. How do they get away with calling it whats its not?? I loved all your references & links. Personally I think you deserve to splurge on the shades. You work damn hard on your blog & that's not your first priority so I know you work a million times more...you worth it & its not like you came home with a Mercedes S Class.

I can not believe that they call the chandelier antique. How do they get away with calling it whats its not?? I loved all your references & links. Personally I think you deserve to splurge on the shades. You work damn hard on your blog & that's not your first priority so I know you work a million times more...you worth it & its not like you came home with a Mercedes S Class.

Good eye and ear on reading the fine print...it always amazes me...and holy smokes the price certainly isn't right! The dining room you did in the Tanglewood home is so lovely. I love love love their cabinet...the wood is oh so lovely. I want Tara Shaw's cnadelier that needs electrifying! ;-)

Hi Joni!First of all, thanks for the so sweet emails and comment! Second, great post! I am so addicted to lighting! Beautiful! I used to love to make lampshades for clients and photo shoots...but not much time now. Maybe this will inspire me to get creative again in that way...

Hi Joni!First of all, thanks for the so sweet emails and comment! Second, great post! I am so addicted to lighting! Beautiful! I used to love to make lampshades for clients and photo shoots...but not much time now. Maybe this will inspire me to get creative again in that way...

Joni: Great post (as usual). For your readers who live on a budget I'd suggest they also check out their local HomeGoods store as another great lighting resource. I found a lamp I loved but couldn't afford and a month later saw an amazing replica of it at HomeGoods. I purchased a more expensive shade and for a fraction of the price I got the awesome look of the far pricier lamp.

Joni, thank you for always keeping it real and giving us real info about products on the market.I am like one of your other readers. You are a daily read for me and I always come away with more knowledge and inspiration. thank you for your faithfulness to your readers. Kathysue

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your long post from earlier in the month on slipcovers, which I found through a link to your post today from another blog. I am just trying to design white slipcovers for a sofa and two chairs, and you have just helped me so, so tremendously much! Thank you! Hallie

Joni, have I told you today how amazing you are??? If not, let me tell you, you are one amazing lady! Not only are you talented, but you are generous and dear to share all of this info with us.

When I win the Lottery (and I will win it), I am calling you, and we're going to have some great fun! You make me sorry that we didn't try to find a job in Texas when Mr. Magpie and I finished our studies (long before the Ice Age). ;-)

Thank you for the July 20 Post. I loved the article on the chandeliers. Some of the great chandeliers featured here are from my e-store beautifulhomestore.com. We enjoyed quite a few visitors that day from your site - thank you and welcome!

I hope many will come often, and join our mailing list for newsletters and more fun. We are right next door in New Orleans and Northshore (Mandeville/Covington). We search constantly for beautiful things at good prices and have weekly features. I love your style and am a new fan!

Very interesting post! I love to see the comparison between 'antiques' and inexpensive reproductions. Have you seen Tara's chandelier in person? If it is new, I wonder why she didn't electrify it, or at least create and electrified version.